Boy. As young as I am, I have observed these three
1155swashers. I am boy to them all three: but all they
three, though they would serve me, could not be man
to me; for indeed three such antics do not amount to
a man. For Bardolph, he is white-livered and
red-faced; by the means whereof a' faces it out, but
1160fights not. For Pistol, he hath a killing tongue
and a quiet sword; by the means whereof a' breaks
words, and keeps whole weapons. For Nym, he hath
heard that men of few words are the best men; and
therefore he scorns to say his prayers, lest a'
1165should be thought a coward: but his few bad words
are matched with as few good deeds; for a' never
broke any man's head but his own, and that was
against a post when he was drunk. They will steal
any thing, and call it purchase. Bardolph stole a
1170lute-case, bore it twelve leagues, and sold it for
three half pence. Nym and Bardolph are sworn
brothers in filching, and in Calais they stole a
fire-shovel: I knew by that piece of service the
men would carry coals. They would have me as
1175familiar with men's pockets as their gloves or their
handkerchers: which makes much against my manhood,
if I should take from another's pocket to put into
mine; for it is plain pocketing up of wrongs. I
must leave them, and seek some better service:
1180their villany goes against my weak stomach, and
therefore I must cast it up.

[Exit]

[Re-enter FLUELLEN, GOWER following]

Gower. Captain Fluellen, you must come presently to the
1185mines; the Duke of Gloucester would speak with you.

Fluellen. To the mines! tell you the duke, it is not so good
to come to the mines; for, look you, the mines is
not according to the disciplines of the war: the
concavities of it is not sufficient; for, look you,
1190the athversary, you may discuss unto the duke, look
you, is digt himself four yard under the
countermines: by Cheshu, I think a' will plough up
all, if there is not better directions.

Gower. The Duke of Gloucester, to whom the order of the
1195siege is given, is altogether directed by an
Irishman, a very valiant gentleman, i' faith.

Fluellen. By Cheshu, he is an ass, as in the world: I will
1200verify as much in his beard: be has no more
directions in the true disciplines of the wars, look
you, of the Roman disciplines, than is a puppy-dog.

Fluellen. Captain Jamy is a marvellous falourous gentleman,
that is certain; and of great expedition and
knowledge in th' aunchient wars, upon my particular
knowledge of his directions: by Cheshu, he will
maintain his argument as well as any military man in
1210the world, in the disciplines of the pristine wars
of the Romans.

Gower. How now, Captain Macmorris! have you quit the
1215mines? have the pioneers given o'er?

Macmorris. By Chrish, la! tish ill done: the work ish give
over, the trompet sound the retreat. By my hand, I
swear, and my father's soul, the work ish ill done;
it ish give over: I would have blowed up the town, so
1220Chrish save me, la! in an hour: O, tish ill done,
tish ill done; by my hand, tish ill done!

Fluellen. Captain Macmorris, I beseech you now, will you
voutsafe me, look you, a few disputations with you,
as partly touching or concerning the disciplines of
1225the war, the Roman wars, in the way of argument,
look you, and friendly communication; partly to
satisfy my opinion, and partly for the satisfaction,
look you, of my mind, as touching the direction of
the military discipline; that is the point.
1230

Jamy. It sall be vary gud, gud feith, gud captains bath:
and I sall quit you with gud leve, as I may pick
occasion; that sall I, marry.

Macmorris. It is no time to discourse, so Chrish save me: the
day is hot, and the weather, and the wars, and the
1235king, and the dukes: it is no time to discourse. The
town is beseeched, and the trumpet call us to the
breach; and we talk, and, be Chrish, do nothing:
'tis shame for us all: so God sa' me, 'tis shame to
stand still; it is shame, by my hand: and there is
1240throats to be cut, and works to be done; and there
ish nothing done, so Chrish sa' me, la!

Jamy. By the mess, ere theise eyes of mine take themselves
to slomber, ay'll de gud service, or ay'll lig i'
the grund for it; ay, or go to death; and ay'll pay
1245't as valourously as I may, that sall I suerly do,
that is the breff and the long. Marry, I wad full
fain hear some question 'tween you tway.

Fluellen. Captain Macmorris, I think, look you, under your
correction, there is not many of your nation—
1250

Macmorris. Of my nation! What ish my nation? Ish a villain,
and a bastard, and a knave, and a rascal. What ish
my nation? Who talks of my nation?

Fluellen. Look you, if you take the matter otherwise than is
meant, Captain Macmorris, peradventure I shall think
1255you do not use me with that affability as in
discretion you ought to use me, look you: being as
good a man as yourself, both in the disciplines of
war, and in the derivation of my birth, and in
other particularities.
1260

Macmorris. I do not know you so good a man as myself: so
Chrish save me, I will cut off your head.